This blog is my public diary of experiences that I've had as I become increasingly involved in the area of Kensington, Pa. I am including experiences that I am having as I sit down, one on one, with homeless people who are dealing with Substance Use Disorder.
All Names have been changed and, occasionally, I share a story using the opposite pronoun (he/she him/her), as an additional way to assure privacy.

Please Know...

As I come to know these fine people, they share with me more of their personal and sensitive stories. Their collective story is what I am trying to share with you as my way of breaking the stereotypical beliefs that exist. "Blog names" have occasionally been given to me by the person whose story I am telling. Names are never their actual names and wherever I can do so, I might use the opposite pronoun (his/her, etc.) just to help increase their privacy.

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

My Homeless Neighbors

As I sit here in the suburbs of Philadelphia, watching the snow fall in our second Nor-Easter in less than one week, I am thinking about my neighbors and praying for their safety.

Now, I'm not talking here about my neighbors with whom I share property lines or a street name although I do care about them. I'm talking about my (former) neighbors who lived in Glen Mills, Garnet Valley, Aston, Concordville, Chester Heights, Chadds Ford, Elam, Boothwyn, Westtown, West Chester, Paoli, Devon, Media and many other local communities who now live in Emerald City, it's neighboring bridge communities and abandoned houses in Kensington.

These are our suburban community's sons and daughters with Moms and Dads and sisters and brothers who still live here near you and me. For reasons that vary, these former neighbors have unwittingly found their way to addiction and homelessness and all that comes with it.

It is their stories, anonymously told in these blogs, that I try to share in a spirit of dignity, honor, respect, and love that they deserve.